Entering December, the Suns were the first to face the challenge from the Celtics, a veteran team in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics have a brilliant team history, having won a total of 16 championships, but they are in a rebuilding period this season and are currently ranked 11th in the Eastern Conference.
The Suns are ranked first in the league. This seems to be a game with little suspense, but it has attracted much attention from the outside world because of its two rookie players.
"Chen Yan and Durant's first NBA matchup!"
"Who is the best rookie?"
"A direct conversation between the No. 2 pick and No. 3 pick!"
"Why don't we meet brothers again!"
The two took over almost all the topics of this game, and fans are looking forward to what kind of sparks this NCAA champion duo will have as opponents.
On December 2, the Celtics flew to Phoenix the day before the game.
Chen Yan and Durant made a date. The two have not met seriously since entering the league. The last time they met was in the summer league, and it has been three or four months since then.
The two made an appointment at a burrito shop near the arena. Although Chen Yan and Xiaoshuai are now multi-millionaires, their consumption habits are similar to those in college.
Both of them are down-to-earth types, unlike many rookies who spend their money as soon as they get a big contract.
"Chen! Why did you reject Nike's big contract?" Durant couldn't help but express his doubts as soon as he hugged Chen Yan.
"I have my own career plan." Chen Yan replied with a smile.
"That's Nike! If you come, maybe we can shoot some cool commercials together!" Durant still looked puzzled.
Chen Yan: "Li Ning will create an independent brand for me."
Durant: "But that's Nike!"
Chen Yan: "Li Ning gave me 6% sales share."
Durant: "But that's Nike!"
Chen Yan: "Li Ning gave me shares worth hundreds of millions."
Durant: "..."
"Chen, um... do they still lack a spokesperson?"
After Durant said this, Chen Yan couldn't help laughing, and Durant also laughed.
Durant just made a joke with Chen Yan. He just signed a 6-year long-term contract with Nike not long ago.
And he knew very well that even if he didn't sign with Li Ning, he wouldn't be able to get the same treatment as Chen Yan.
Durant is not a local star in China, and his market appeal and commercial value are not on the same level as Chen Yan.
One day later, December 3, at Mercy Arena in Phoenix.
Before the game started, Chen Yan walked into the tunnel wearing Li Ning sportswear and big headphones with a relaxed expression on his face.
"Chen, look here!"
"Chen, smile!"
"Kakakakakaka!"
Reporters kept pressing the shutter on both sides of the aisle, and Chen Yan also cooperated by stopping to let them take pictures, which helped increase Li Ning's exposure.
Not far away, Durant walked in with a small schoolbag on his back, crispy noodles in his hand, and an orange knitted hat on his head.
Although Chen Yan and Durant have a good personal relationship, their dressing styles are completely different.
After meeting in the tunnel, Chen Yan and Durant high-fived.
There was no unnecessary pleasantries between the two. After all, they had just met a day ago.
When reporters saw this scene, they immediately gathered around, taking photos and asking questions, turning the player tunnel into a pre-match press conference.
"Can we comment on each other's outfits?"
The two teased each other in the face of questions from the media.
Chen Yan: "KD has his unique sense of fashion. Throughout NBA history, it is difficult to find players who dress similarly to him."
Durant pointed at Chen Yan: "This guy is like a walking clothes hanger. He looks good in anything he wears. Of course, he also looks good in nothing."
The reporters all laughed after hearing this. Durant's words contained a lot of information.
"Chen, will you be responsible for defending kd tonight?" the reporter asked.
Chen Yan smiled: "This is the secret of the competition. You will know it after a while."
"KD, when do you think this game will start?" the ESPN reporter asked with a smirk on his face.
During the summer league, Durant once said that he would be on a 50-50 basis with Chen Yan, but he was badly beaten in that game.
This time Durant learned the lesson wisely. When faced with the reporter's question, he answered in an official manner: "The game is for five people, not a one-on-one game, so this question is meaningless."
"KD, can you tell us what's in your schoolbag?"
Before Durant could answer Chen Yan, he rushed to answer: "Primary school textbooks, because only primary school students will carry schoolbags to participate in basketball games."
Durant immediately responded: "Watch, how did you get beaten up by a primary school student tonight."
Xiaoshuai used a joking tone and said harsh words to Chen Yan.
Chen Yan did not follow what he said, but looked at the crispy noodles in Durant's hand: "The crispy noodles you eat are endorsed by me."
Killer!
Durant froze on the spot, and instantly felt that the little raccoon in his hand was no longer tasty!
The two did not stay in the player tunnel for too long. More and more reporters came around to ask questions. If this continues, the player tunnel will be blocked, making it inconvenient for other players and staff to enter and exit.
During the warm-up period, Chen Yan saw Durant’s mother Wanda in the audience.
After Durant became a professional player, the family's economic conditions suddenly improved. Wanda no longer had to work three jobs to support the family. Her daily life now is to take care of Durant, and then go to various arenas to watch her son play. It is very
Comfortable.
"Hey! Chen, long time no see. I've seen your performance in the news recently. It's great!"
Wanda greeted Chen Yan warmly. He knew that Chen Yan was one of Durant's best friends.
Chen Yan also gave her a big hug in return.
After the warm-up period, a short awards ceremony was held at the American West Arena.
Under the applause of nearly 20,000 fans in the audience, Chen Yan lifted the two trophies for Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month.
This is the first time Chen Yan has won a trophy since entering the NBA. Previously, the honor of Player of the Week did not come with a trophy.
"Lifting two trophies at the same time, this guy is quite cool." Under the court, Stoudemire applauded and laughed.
"Chen raised the trophy with MVP momentum." Laga Bell also joked.
Everyone in the Suns likes Chen Yan, a rookie, and likes to make fun of him whenever he has nothing to do.
"Hahaha, this little guy got a trophy for the first time in his career. It's understandable that he's a little excited." Nash nodded aside, with a hint of doting in his eyes...
While Chen Yan lifted the trophy, head coach and general manager D'Antoni was also interviewed by reporters on the sidelines.
When talking about trading Chen Yan in the draft, D'Antoni showed a proud expression:
"Any draft is a risk, but a young man who is extremely talented and can average 30 points per game gives you enough confidence to take this risk!"
